Political Quotes

Edmund Burke: “But the practice and knowledge of the world will not suffer us to be ignorant that the Constitution on paper is one…”

On the record
But the practice and knowledge of the world will not suffer us to be ignorant that the Constitution on paper is one thing, and in fact and experience is another.
Said by
Edmund Burke

Editor's note · Context

Burke emphasizes the difference between the theoretical Constitution and its practical application in society.

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More from Edmund Burke

Jan 1, 1790

If any of them should happen to propose a scheme of liberty soberly limited, and defined with proper qualifications, he will be immediately outbid by his competitors, who will produce something more splendidly popular.

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Jan 1, 1790

Whatever they are, I wish my countrymen rather to recommend to our neighbors the example of the British Constitution than to take models from them for the improvement of our own.

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Jan 1, 1790

But when the leaders choose to make themselves bidders at an auction of popularity, their talents, in the construction of the state, will be of no service.

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Jan 1, 1790

I would not exclude alteration neither; but even when I changed, it should be to preserve.

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